Gallia prepares for BBQ Festival

GALLIPOLIS — Gallia County is gearing up for some tasty cooking Sept. 12.

That’s when the second Gallia County BBQ Festival will take place. It’s being sponsored by the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau and will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in Gallipolis City Park.

Admission is free, and there will be plenty of activities in the park. People will also have the opportunity to buy barbecue sandwiches, chips, soft drinks and water.

There will be 12 teams competing against one another for the top combined score in several categories, including Pork and Brisket for the “Michael Cockerham Grand Champion” trophy.

The meat is provided by “Rowdy’s Smokehouse” in Jackson. The winner will receive $500 cash and a trophy. There will be a volunteer category (Teams are to provide their own meat for this contest) for “Rowdy’s Smokehouse Best Ribs” with a cash prize of $250.

There will also be a “Kenny ‘Smooth’ Siders II People’s Choice” trophy from entry votes by attendees.

The teams will turn-in their entries for port at noon; brisket at 12:30 pm; and ribs at 1 p.m. Judges will then score each on appearance, taste and tenderness. The team with the highest combined score on Pork and Brisket will be declared the Grand Champion winner. A separate set of judges will name the Best Ribs winner.

After contestants have turned in their samples for judging, they will donate the pork to the GCCVB, which will have a tent set up and separate heating containers for each team. At approximately 1 p.m., sandwiches will be sold to the public.

The GCCVB has invited area organizations to set up in Gallipolis City Park during the BBQ Festival as a “Get to Know Your Community.” event. These organizations can sell things for fundraisers, give away prizes, membership drives and informational awareness. They cannot sell food or drinks as that is part of GCCVB’s fundraising during this event. There is no charge to participate. Spots will be first come, first serve. The Gallia County Farmers’ Market will also be set up during their normal hours.

From noon to 3 p.m., the Gallipolis Car Club will simultaneously have a “Cruise-In” on the State Street side of City Park. There will be live music on the stage by “The Blue Z Band” and “Swampfoot.” Free activities for the kids’ from 12:30-2:30 p.m. include face painting by Jody Rife, balloon sculpting by Cowboy Mark Wood, and train rides. There will also be T-shirts for sale.

Organizations that would like to set up or people who want to volunteer to help, contact the GCCVB at 740-446-6882 or email to info@visitgallia.com.